N.J. and feds are at odds about clearing beach of munitions

New Jersey and federal officials are sparring about how to pay for the rising costs of cleaning up World War I-era military munitions found on beaches in Surf City.

The U.S. Corps of Engineers said the cleanup will cost nearly $18 million -- three times the initial estimate.

David Gard/For the Star-LedgerThe Army Corp of Engineers have been replenishing the beach front in Surf City by pumping sand from offshore onto the beach. In March 2007, an unexploded piece of ordinance was found. A sign warned of the potential danger in this May 2007 photo.

Congress has approved spending $11.7 million on the project and said the state is responsible for paying the remaining $6 million.

But state Environmental Protection spokeswoman Elaine Makatura said the state will not pay because it's not responsible.

More than 1,100 old munitions have been found on the Long Beach Island community since last year. They were pumped from the ocean floor to the beaches in a beach replenishment project.